Strapping machine



April 17, 1951 F. w. MOSEY STRAPPING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 2, 19452 Shee'ts-Sheet 1 INVENTOR FREDERICK WILLIAM MOSEY BY y W R%EY &

April 17, 1951 F. w. MOSEY I 2,549,626

STRAPPING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 2, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORI FREDERICK WILLIAM MO EY BY M %2% Patented Apr. 17, 1951 2,549,626STRAPPING MACHINE Frederick William Mosey, London, England Continuationof application Serial No. 575,883, This application July 14, 1947,Serial No. 760,831. In Great Britain Feb- February 2, 1945.

ruary 15, 1944 The present invention is a continuation of applicationSerial No. 575,883, filed February 2, 1945, in the name of William Moseyand now abandoned, and relates to improvements in Strapping-Machine forsecuring the-overlapping 9 Claims. (c1. 81-9.1)

ends of straps or bands such as are used for strapping bale-s, cases andother packages.

According to the customary method at present in use the overlapping endsof the strap or band encircling the package are gripped and tensionedand are then interlocked or otherwise secured together at a plurality ofpoints along the overlapping portions simultaneously. Thus, in one ofthese known methods the overi lapping ends of a metal strap or band aregripped and tensioned and then presented between a one-piece male andone-piece female die which co-act first to shear the metal strip fromthe supply or loose end and then to punch simultaneously a plurality ofinterlocking tongues in the overlapping portions of the strap or band.Since for mechanical reasons it is necessary in this method to shear thestrap from the supply or loose end before the interlocking tongues areformed and since naturally the tension is applied by pulling on thesupply or loose end, it has been necessary not only to provide means forgripping the under or inner end of the strap but also it has beennecessary to provide further gripping means for holding the end which issheared from the supply or loose end.

The present invention has as a primary object to provide improved meansfor and a method of punching or otherwise forming these interlockingtongues in which the gripping means heretofore necessary for holding theupper or outer end of the strap or band can be eliminated. A furtherimportant object is to provide a machine in which the manual or poweroperation of the machine is simpler and smoother and requires a greatlyreduced effort on the part of the operator or pow-er from the drive andat the same time enables a heavier gauge strap or band to be used thanheretofore. A further object of this invention is to enable theseadvantages to be conferred upon other strapping apparatus in which theoverlapping ends of a strap are interlocked or otherwise jointedtogether mechanically, for example by seals.

lapping ends of straps or bands encircling packages or the like andwhich are under tension, are interlocked or otherwise secured togetherat a plurality of points by a multistage opera According to the presentinvention the overtion completed by one stroke or corresponding movementon the part of the operator. In other words the union between theoverlapping ends of the strap or band are made successively, at leastone union being formed prior to the band or strap being severed from thepoint at which the tension is applied that is, the supply or loose end.

In a preferred method according to the invention the overlapping ends ofthe bands or straps are interlocked by a plurality of tongues formed; inthe band or strap, these interlock ing tongues being formed in at leasttwo stages the whole operation being completed by one stroke oranalogous movement of the operating handle or handles. One or more ofthe interlocking tongues (less in number than the total to be formed) isfirst formed by a relative movement between a male and female die andthereupon automatically holds or hold the band or strap tight followingwhich the band or strap is severed from the loose end or supply afterwhich the remaining interlocking tongues are formed, for example byfurther relative movement between male and female dies.

A convenient form of apparatus for carrying the method into effectcomprises a stationary die and a plurality of movable dies which 00- actwith the said stationary die to form a plurality of interlockingtongues, the movement of the said movable dies being effected by one Jrtwo operating handles a full stroke movement of which causes the movabledies successive to co-act with the stationary die and also to effect thesevering of the band or strap from the supply or loose end at which thetension is applied after the co-operation of the first pair .of dies toform the interlocking between the overlapping ends and prior to theco-operation of the remaining dies.

Conveniently, the movable dies may be mounted in guideways and connectedto cranks which are rotated by operating levers or other handles. Wheretwo levers are employed these may be mounted for rotation in oppositedirections and geared together so that both hands of the operative mayassist in operating the de-- vice. In association with the apparatusthere may be provided a gripping means for holding that end of the bandor strap forming the underneath overlapping end and tensioning means forapplying tension to the other end of the band or strap (i. e. loose orsupply end). Conveniently, a blade may be attached to the last die whichblade co -acts with a stationary blade to shear any surplus strap orband from the loose end in the case of an individual length, or to cutit from the supply, in the case of the continuous strip. This also cutsthe encircling band from the applied tension of the tensioning means.Since at least one interlocking tongue or other union has already beenformed prior to the severing operation there is no necessity for thetension to be maintained by a gripping device holding the severed end asin existing machines.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which- Figure 1 shows in section a strapping machineembodying the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a section on the line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows the action of the discs at the first stage of theinterlocking operation, and

Figure 4 shows the operation completed.

The device shown in the drawings is adapted to provide interlockingtongues between the overlapping ends of the straps or bands of the typeshown in British Patent No. 508,906 to Mosey and Sealless StrappingLimited.

The male die I is mounted in the bed 2 as described in the aforesaidprior patent. In place of the integral female die, however, there areprovided two female dies 3 and 4. These female dies are mounted inguide-ways in the frame 5 so as to permit of a vertical slidingmovement. Both dies are connected by connecting rods 5 and '1respectively to journals 8 and 9 respectively which are eccentricallymounted upon shafts II] and II respectively. These shafts carry at oneend interlocking pinions I2 and I3 and handles I4 and I5. These handlesI4 and I5 are bent so that when the dies are in the fully open positionthey lie in the position shown in Figure 1.

The journals 8 and 9 are mounted upon the shafts II] and I I so thatwhen the latter are rotated by the handles the female die 3 moves inadvance of the female die 4 and also in advance of the blade I6 which ismounted upon the die 4 and co-operates at the appropriate moment withthe fixed blade I! to shear the strap or band.

The apparatus is also provided with usual gripping means for holding theunderneath or inner end of the strap 21. The gripping means showncomprises a pivoted claw I9 which can be moved from the release positionshown in fullline to the holding position shown in chain-line by meansof a lever handle 28. The free end of the strap or band 2| is laid inthe customary manner immediately over the male die I and the loose orsupply end I8 after having been passed round the package is laid overthe free end 2! and inserted in the usual tensioning device. Thetensioning device shown merely comprises a pair of knurled rollers 22and 23 over which the loose or supply end I8 of the strap or band ispassed. The roller 23 is eccentrically mounted upon a shaft 24journalled in the frame 5 so that by movement of the handle 25 theroller 23 may be advanced or retracted to or away from the roller 22.Tension is applied to the strap or band by means of a rocking lever 28which carries a pawl 21 engaging with a ratchet wheel 26 carried by theroller 22.

When the tension has been applied to the strap or band in the usualmanner with strapping devices the two dies 3 and 4 are brought intoengagement successively with the male die I.

These dies are so mounted that the female die 3 engages with the maledie I to form an interlocking tongue or interlocking tongues between theoverlapping ends of the strap or band before the blades I6 and ITco-operate to shear the strap or band and so to disengage the tensioningmeans from the encircling strap or band. When these interlocking tonguesare formed the blade It then descends onto the blade I! to shear thestrap or band and subsequently the female die 4 co-operates with themale die I to form the re- I maining interlocking tongues. Such anoperation is a complete departure from the machines already in use whichinvariably sever the strap or band from the tensioning device before theinterlocking tongues or other joints are formed. This necessitates asecond gripping means for holding the loose or supply end of the strapor band at the other end of the overlapping portions to the grippingmeans I9 so that the tension is maintained after the severing of thestrap or band. Furthermore, the existing machines form the interlockingtongues or other joints simultaneously and thus require all the pressureon the operating handles to be exerted at one point in the stroke of thehandle or handles.

Whilst in the apparatus shown three tongues are formed and two movingdies are employed the invention can easily be ada ted for any numher ofinterlocking tongues or any other form of interlocking between theoverlapping portions of the strap or band and similarly any convenientnumber of dies may be used. Thus in the apparatus shown the second diemay form only one interlocking tongue as with the first die and one ormore further dies may be provided to descend successively to form one ormore interlocking tongues. Again the first die may be used to form morethan one interlocking tongue. Wh le the mach ne shown has the male diestationary and the female dies moving, their position and function can,of course, be reversed and in some cases may be preferable.

It will be rea ised that the interlocking joint between the overla pingportions of the strap or band need. not consist of the tongues shown inthe drawin s but may be of any configuration, and for instance the e sof the strap or band ma e cut and interlocked.

Whilst the invention is m re articularly concerned with strappingmachines in which the material of t e str p or band is actually out toform an interlockin joint the invent on may be a lied to ot er forms ofunion bet een the overlap ing ends, as for instance, the type of unionformed by seals. The greatest advantage ho ever is obtained where it isnecessary to cut t e st an or band since the present invention enablesthe cutting to be done successively and n t si ultane usly as n revi usmachines, and thus s reads the work to be done over the stro e of the oerating handle or handles or analogous mean and does not concentrate itat one oint in the stroke.

The tensioning means and grinning means may be of any suitableconstruction and those means sho n are not essential to the inventionwhich is directed broadl to the ste of forming the interlock ng ton uesor other joints successively at least one interlockin ton ue or otherjoint being formed prior to the severing of the encircling and tensionedstrap or band from the point of tension.

Whilst normally metal straps and bands are employed the invention mayalso be applied said movable dies and fixed die adapted to receive thelapping strap portion-s interposed therebetween, two operating handleseach connected with and adapted to move one of the said movable dies,and gearing interconnecting the said handles coordinating simultaneousopposite movement thereof, said gearing and movable dies beingrelatively set angularly to sequentially en-' gage the movable dies withthe strap portions interposed between the movable dies and fixed die.

2. A strapping machine for connecting lapping portions of a metal strappassed around a package, comprising two movable joint-forming dies, afixed die cooperating with each movable die, said movable dies and fixeddie adapted to receive the overlapping strap portions interposedtherebetween, two separate shafts, an eccentric means on each of saidshafts and each eccentric means having operative connection with one ofsaid movable dies, two handles each connected withone of said eccentricmeans each to move one of the movable dies, and gearinglbetween theshafts maintaining present angularity of'the eccentrics to each other,said gearing and eccentrics being relatively set angularly so that therespe tiv mov bl dies are actuated in sequence toward the fixed die.

3. A strapping machine for connecting lapping portions of a metal strappassed around a package, comprising two movable joint-forming dies, afixeddie cooperating with each movable die, said movable dies as oneentity and said fixed die as another entity ada ted to receive thelanning strap port onsinterposed between said entities, two se arateshafts of which one is in part over one movable die and the other is inpart over the other movable die. two eccentric means of which one isinterposed between one said shaft and its associated movable die and theother is interposed between tbe other said shaft and its associatedmovable die, said eccentrics interconnecting the respective shafts andmovable dies for operating each movable die from its respective shaft.manual operating means for rotating the said shafts, and gearin betweenthe shafts maintain ng pre et angularitv of the eccentrics to eachother, said earin and eccentrics being re atively set angularlv so thatthe respective movable dies are actuated in sequence toward the fixeddie.

4. A st a ping machine according to claim 3, wherein the manual oerating means comprises two oppositely movable handles, one on eachshaft.

5. A strapping machine according to claim 3, wherein is provided acutting knife for one of the lapping portions of the strap, and adriving connection between the second in sequence of movement of saidmovable dies and said knife.

6. A strapping machine according to claim 3, wherein is provided a fixedcutting knife contiguous to the fixed die, and a movable cutting knifeon the second in sequence of movement of said movable dies, said cuttingknives having cooperative cutting engagement in advance of thecooperative strap-deforming engagement of ing the said second movabledie and the fixed die with said strap.

7. A strapping machine comprising means for said strap portions atanother part of the said region, two operating handles each connectedwith and adapted to actuate one of said movable means, and gearinginterconnecting the said handles coordinating simultaneous oppositemovement thereof, said gearing and movable means for joining said strapportions being preset so one movable means completes its jointformingmovement in advance of completion of the joint-forming movement of theother said movable means.

8. A strapping machine comprising means for gripping one portion ofstrap and a second means for gripping another portion of strap lappingthe first portion in juxtaposition thereto at the region where a jointis to be made, movable means movement whereof effects a joining of thesaid strap portions thereby making a joint at one part of the saidregion, another movable means movement whereof effects a second joiningof said strap portions at another part of the said region, eccentricsone for each said movable means connected to and for actuating the same,

and gearing interconnecting said eccentrics, said eccentrics and gearingbeing angularly preset with respect to each other and to the saidmovable means so as to move one said movable means to its strap-joiningposition in advance of moving the other said movable means to itsstrap-joining position.

9. A strapping machine for use with a strap issuing from a source ofsupply and said strap adapted to lap around a package and having a freeend portion adapted to lap on another portion of the strap nearer to thesource of supply, said machine being constructed and arranged tointerlock said lapping portions of the strap, and said machinecomprising means for gripping the strap near its free end back from saidend in a direction along the strap toward the source of supply wherebythe strap presents a projecting end portion extending from said grippingmeans to said strap end, said projecting end portion lapping withrespect to another portion of the strap nearer the source of supply, thelapping portions constituting a region where the interlocking joint isto be made,

a second gripping means for the supply portion a passing completelyaround the package fromone gripping means to the other, means having astrap-deforming stroke toward said strap for effecting an initialinterlocking joint in the lapped portions of said strap near to saidprojectend and thereby forming an initial joint between said projectingend portion of the strap and portion of the strap under tension, strapcutting means spaced from said initial interlocking joint-forming meansand at the other end of said lapping region of the strap for cutting thestrap to produce a cut end be-- tween the said initial interlockingjoint thereof and the tensioning means, said cutting means being movableto cut the strap after said initial interlocking means has made saidinitial joint, means for effecting a second interlocking of the strapportions in closer proximity to the cut end than the first saidinterlocking joint, and manually operated levers for operating insequence said gripping, tensioning, interlocking and cutting means.

FREDERICK WILLIAM MOSEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

Number Number 8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date McChesney Nov. 29, 1927King Dec. 18, 1934 Abbott Jan. 28, 1941 Watt et a1. July 20, 1943FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Dec. 9, 1930 France Feb. 27, 1933Great Britain Nov. 27, 1936 Great Britain July 15, 1946 Germany Apr. 7,1937

